[anderson]

As pointed out in the thread in this forum on the virtues of FSW, Comcast cable systems are apparently pulling FSW whenever possible because they regard FSW to be a potential competitor with Comcast-owned OLN for international sports programming.

I’ve had both FSW and OLN for about two years - well, at least I first noticed that I even had OLN about two years ago - and don’t see how these networks compete for similar audiences. Their current programming is very different and one of them would have to change fairly dramatically to even come close to competing. Maybe there's an audience that views Elk Country Journal or World Cup Mountain Biking as substitute products for the EPL, Bundesliga, or Tri-Nations, but I doubt it.

I suppose FSW could make a push for OLN’s cycling (e.g., Tour de France) or skiing programming, but there’s a lot of other international cycling and skiing that FSW could show if they wanted to add those types of products. Instead, FSW seems more interested in adding yet more soccer leagues or rugby cups - or even Aussie Rules, CFL, Gaelic Games, darts, etc. - than in adding cycling or skiing programming. So does Comcast's fear of FSW as a competitor to OLN really make sense?

(Btw, you can pull up a week’s worth of listings for OLN and for FSW on zap2it.com. That’s obviously an incomplete way to look at the issue, but it at least gives you a snapshot of what these networks show if you don’t get both.)

[WarrenWallace]

No idea. I don't really like watching OLN. However, if there was Fox Sports World was available in my market I would watch it in a heartbeat over OLN.

[Dr. Wankler]

Originally posted by CityIceMan
No idea. I don't really like watching OLN. However, if there was Fox Sports World was available in my market I would watch it in a heartbeat over OLN.

That pretty much describes my viewing habits. The only thing that OLN has that FSW regular viewers MIGHT watch is cycling skiing. Other than that... I doubt if the pro Bass FIshing Tour is going to draw that many people who watch rugby and soccer on FSW. Comcast doesn't seem to understand this, though.

As someone with AT&T digital cable, though, I worry about their merger with Comcast and what that's going to mean for us this year.

[monster]

Originally posted by anderson
As pointed out in the thread in this forum on the virtues of FSW, Comcast cable systems are apparently pulling FSW whenever possible because they regard FSW to be a potential competitor with Comcast-owned OLN for international sports programming.

I’ve had both FSW and OLN for about two years - well, at least I first noticed that I even had OLN about two years ago - and don’t see how these networks compete for similar audiences. Their current programming is very different and one of them would have to change fairly dramatically to even come close to competing. Maybe there's an audience that views Elk Country Journal or World Cup Mountain Biking as substitute products for the EPL, Bundesliga, or Tri-Nations, but I doubt it.

I suppose FSW could make a push for OLN’s cycling (e.g., Tour de France) or skiing programming, but there’s a lot of other international cycling and skiing that FSW could show if they wanted to add those types of products. Instead, FSW seems more interested in adding yet more soccer leagues or rugby cups - or even Aussie Rules, CFL, Gaelic Games, darts, etc. - than in adding cycling or skiing programming. So does Comcast's fear of FSW as a competitor to OLN really make sense?

(Btw, you can pull up a week’s worth of listings for OLN and for FSW on zap2it.com. That’s obviously an incomplete way to look at the issue, but it at least gives you a snapshot of what these networks show if you don’t get both.)

i think it's less about what they show and more about fighting for bandwidth. Cable companies only have so much space and so many dollars so they are less likely to choose two lower tier niche sports networks, especially when ESPN charges them out the ass to show their channels.

That brings me to something I got in an e-mail form the GM of my cable company. I've been begging him to add FSW. He said he's trying, but Fox is jerking them around and out of 90,000 subscribers, only five have asked for FSW.

He said he knows there have to be more people, but unless they ask, he can't really justify it to the financial people because Fox has a high fee and wants a lot of restrictions.

And then he dropped the bomb. I'm paraphrasing because I don't have a copy of the e-mail with me, but he said that FSW owuld be a shoo-in for the channel lineup if soccer fans were more like NASCAR fans in relaying their viewing choices to his office.

I'm working on a letter to send to local high school and youth organizations to see if that works.

[WarrenWallace]

That is a good idea. I tried calling for FSW a couple of times and they first didn't know what I was talking about, and then laughed at me.

[Dr. Wankler]

Originally posted by monster
And then he dropped the bomb. I'm paraphrasing because I don't have a copy of the e-mail with me, but he said that FSW owuld be a shoo-in for the channel lineup if soccer fans were more like NASCAR fans in relaying their viewing choices to his office.

Might be worth adding to your signature line, Monster. If not trying to make it bigsoccer's motto.

[SJJ]

OK, the original question is a good one.

(My joke answer: if OLN wants international sports, let them show cricket.)

OLN seems to be following what a lot of cable channels are doing now: getting the one can't-miss program, then filling the rest of their lineup with dreck.

OLN has the Tour-d-France, but what else? Some people might like the horse jumping, some might like the skiiing, but, really, what else do they have?

FSW puts out quality program after quality program after (paid programming) after quality program.

They do try to improve thier programming collection, and the can find some interesting tidbits (Euro basketball finals, Latin American World Series...), as well as expanding their American-based programming when they can (LHUSOC, A-League). What I would like is to add some more of that, like American rugby games.

Showing tournament games (Gold Cup, etc) just days after it was on PPV is genious. Will OLN do that?

I'll take this seriously when OLN has even one soccer-related program. They could have gotten the EPL highlight/preview programs that were on BBC-America last year, as a start.

[Eric B]

Comcast's appearent nansiheing of FSW from their systems is nothing more than a battle for bandwith and a zipper-undoing contest between media giants.

The premise presented in the beginning of ths thread is nothing but the delusional ramblings of a certain webmaster...

[pething101]

I have no idea what OLN is. Never even heard of it.

[Jasonma]

Originally posted by SJJ
OK, the original question is a good one.

(My joke answer: if OLN wants international sports, let them show cricket.)

OLN seems to be following what a lot of cable channels are doing now: getting the one can't-miss program, then filling the rest of their lineup with dreck.

OLN has the Tour-d-France, but what else? Some people might like the horse jumping, some might like the skiiing, but, really, what else do they have?

The Giro de Italia and Vuelta a Espana....